One of the lucky few musicians who has been able perform professionally his whole life, Lloyd Spiegel usually visits 15 countries a year spreading his unique and modern take on Blues to audiences around the world.
For the past few years, however, this Melbourne-based artist has been largely stuck at home waiting for pandemic restrictions to ease so that he can continue doing what he loves.
“I’ll never take being able to play live music for granted again!” he said.
“This has been the longest I’ve stayed in Melbourne for the past 20 years and now it’s great to be back connecting with audiences and doing what I love.”
Having just returned from the Netherlands and booked for a gig in Canada in January, Lloyd managed to squeeze Airlie Beach Festival of Music (ABFoM) into his busy calendar this year.
“I’ve been booked [for ABFoM] three times but this is the first time I’ve been able play!” he laughs.
“I’ve gigged in Airlie several times over the years, but this will be the first time I’ve been back in about 15 years.”
Returning with his drummer and trombonist, Lloyd says music is in his blood and he likes to transcend what people would normally expect from a Blues gig.
“My father was the founder of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, and I didn’t know there was any other option than to get into music myself!”
“My music is all about subverting the cliches of Blues music and trying to change and modernise it.”
Quick Quiz
Favourite artist: Tom Waits
Favourite song: Guilty by Randy Newman
Song you love to play: Murder for Breakfast
Last song you listened to: The Quaker City Night Hawks
Blues artist Lloyd Spiegel has been playing gigs since he was 10
